What matters most to you and why? Most people don’t think about this question until they’re asked, and perhaps that’s why it’s so difficult to answer. It’s a heavy concept, and so it takes time, thought and maybe even a little research to answer — ­­and that’s exactly what Dr. Michele Lee Kozimor-King did.
“I was nervous to give this speech,” Dr. Kozimor-King admitted of being asked to be the speaker at this year’s “What Matters to Me and Why” dinner. She began by researching what others have spoken about in the past. Through her research, she decided that it didn’t matter what others wrote about. “This speech had to be about me and what matters to me,” she said.
Kozmior-King began her speech by explaining the aforementioned research steps she took and why they were so vital to the development of what she had to say that evening. She also took a moment to explain why the speech was a reflection of her personality. Being the risk-taker she is, she chose to wear jeans and a sparkly long sleeved shirt. She felt this conveyed her fun and adventurous side and related to the “about me” philosophy she had for the evening.
She then went into depth and detail about what mattered most to her. Her daughter, Caelyn, the horses she rides and cares for, and one of her best friends, were a few of the things she discussed as being important to her. The main message of Kozimor-King’s speech was: “If you learn to listen to the spirit, you’ll hear it.” She went on to explain how she uncovered what meant most to her. She uses the word “uncover” because as she explains, “everyone has a purpose, it’s not something that needs to be found; it’s there, you just need to uncover it.”
Kozimor-King then went on to give insight into how she did just that. In her own words, “My purpose in life is to help others find their purpose.” Many of her students, friends and mentees believe that she does just that. Junior Kristin Peachey, a sociology student and a mentee of Kozimor-King’s, said “I could relate to a lot of what Dr. Koz said. Her calling in life is to help students uncover their own callings. She does this through mentoring, teaching, and creating close, personal relationships with her students.” Aside from being a professor, Kozimor-King mentors many academic groups and is a faculty-athlete mentor for the softball team.
Kozmior-King also explained how she has begun to master her calling through her personable nature. Although this is something that she feels comes naturally and has always been a part of her personality, it is one of the reasons why she is able to inspire so many individuals.
Aside from being a professor and mother to her daughter Caelyn, Kozmior-King considers herself both a friend and mentor. She considers herself a “scientist vs. a spiritualist.” She concluded her speech with talking about how she does this through teaching and being connected with everyone she comes into contact with. Her daughter, students, friends, family and the Blue Jays softball team she mentors are all a part of this interaction. “She’s not just a professor but a friend too,” junior Shayna Perella said. “I’ve known her through softball and as a mentor and she’s been so inspirational.” These statements add credibility to much of Kozimor King’s statements, although many of the audience members have known her for quite sometime through class, student groups or other campus events.
The dinner in the Susquehanna Room concluded early evening on Wednesday, Nov. 1. Kozimor-King’s speech got a great response from the students and faculty in attendance. Many students also found the fact that the speech was part of a dinner very helpful. Sophomore Melissa Cameron said, “The dinner opened up conversation at the tables and we got to interact with other people.”